California Small Game Hunting Methods

On this page, you’ll find California small game hunting methods. Topics cover air rifles, archery, bait, calls, dogs, falconry, muzzleloaders, pistols, rifles, shotguns, and traps for rabbits and tree squirrels. We also include links to supporting federal and State law. Warning shot!!!Check city and county ordinances for any exceptions. If you need help, contact our in-house attorney.

Topics

General Rules

The law refers to California small game hunting methods as “methods of take.” The definition of Take includes more than just hunting. It also includes things like using bait, decoys, and traps. We’re going to refer to them all as “hunting methods.” Here are a few general rules to keep in mind:

Rule #1: You can’t hunt small game unless there’s a season.

Rule #2: You can only use California small game hunting methods approved for the category.

Rule #3: Approved methods may be restricted for specific small game, places, and situations.

Methods for Small Game

California small game hunting methods apply to a category of mammals called Small Game Mammals. Those mammals include the species listed below.

Brush Rabbits

Cottonrail Rabbits

Hares (genus Lepus)

Jackrabbits

Pigmy Rabbits (genus Sylvilagus)

Tree Squirrels (genus Sciurus and Tamiasciurus)

In general, these Small Game Mammals can be Taken by the methods described below. Warning shot!!! There are additional restrictions and privileges for each species, so also see Rabbits and Tree Squirrels below.

Air Rifles

In general, California small game hunting methods allow for air rifles. However, you can only use compressed air or gas. You can use any caliber of pellet. See 14 CCR § 311(f).

Archery

In general, California small game hunting methods allow archery. You can use any kind of arrow except with any kind of explosive head, tranquilizer, or poison. It has to have a casting distance of 130 yards. You can’t shoot across a public roadway. Warning shot!!! Archers are NOT allowed to possess a firearm while in the field engaged in archery hunting during an archery season. The same is true while hunting during a general season with an archery only tag. See 14 CCR § 311(e) and (k), 14 CCR § 354(c)-(f) and (h), and our page dedicated to Archery Laws.

Bait

Calls

In general, you cannot use electronic or mechanically-operated calling or sound-reproducing devices. See 14 CCR § 311(i).

Crossbows

In general, you can hunt small game with a Crossbow. You can use any kind of crossbow bolt except those with any kind of explosive head, tranquilizer, or poison. It has to have a casting distance of 130 yards. You can’t shoot across a public roadway. Unless you have a Disabled Archer Permit, crossbows are not allowed during archery seasons.

Rifles

Shotguns

In general, shotguns may be used to hunt resident small game subject to the restrictions listed below. See 14 CCR § 311(a)-(b).

Gauge Size

In general, the shotgun has to be a 10-gauge or smaller. On Type A and Type B Wildlife Areas, it has to be at least a 12-gauge or smaller.

Plugs

If a plug is used to reduce the capacity of a magazine to fulfill the shell capacity requirement (see below), the plug must be of one piece construction incapable of removal without disassembling the gun.

Shell Capacity

You shotgun must be incapable of holding more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined (see Plugs above).

Shells

You can only use shot shells and it must be loose in the shell (i.e. no slugs).

Shot size

You cannot use anything larger than No. BB. In fact, you cannot even possess anything larger while hunting.

Dogs

Pistols

In general, you can kill rabbits with pistols. However, you cannot use them in Los Angeles County. See 14 CCR § 311(g).

Property Damage

In general, landowners and tenants can take cottontail and brush rabbits any time of the year to prevent actual damage to crops or forage. Warning shot!!!You cannot sell them if they are taken this way. See FGC § 4186.

Rifles

In general, you can kill rabbits with rifles. However, you cannot use them in Los Angeles County. See 14 CCR § 311(g).

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